In Search of the Wirebird: Saint Helena British Overseas Territory, 9th April 2025

St Helena

A day ashore guided by Saint Helenian, Dennis, of the Saint Helena National Trust showed us past and current effects of humans, and the species introduced by them, on the ecology of this very isolated steep speck of land amidst blue sea and sky since its “discovery” of the 12 million year old isolated volcanic island in 1502. It was great to see the native plant nursery and the millennium woodland and the evolving habitat management efforts led by the Trust and supportive landowners which have doubled the number of the only remaining endemic bird, the Wirebird. A very newly hatched individual taking the global total of its species to just over 600 individuals, we hope it evades the feral cats. 

Upon returning to Jamestown the ocean swell had risen and the tenders couldn’t safely dock, but after quickly arranged shuttle bus relay to a calmer harbour all were back aboard and ready for departure a bit later than may have been ideal for the wildlife watchers. However, White Tern, Masked Booby and Red-billed Tropicbird and Black Noddy were seen from the anchored ship and as she set sail northwards, a large group of over 500 distant dolphins entertained observers as the sun went down. Photographs of our day on Saint Helena follow…

Wirebird; White Tern; Red-billed Tropicbird; Masked Booby (Immature) and Common Myna.